Inverness Highland League club Clachnacuddin are enjoying their best season in over a decade as Clachnacuddin manager praises board for their support
Manager Conor Gethins acknowledged the backing he has been given by the Clachnacuddin board after the Lilywhites continued their excellent Highland League campaign with a 2-1 midweek win at Wick Academy.
A howling gale blowing down Harmsworth Park made it a test of endurance for players and spectators alike. Clach took advantage of the conditions to go two up inside the first quarter with a Troy Cooper double.
His first came after eight minutes when he latched onto a loose ball and slammed it low into the net.
With 17 minutes gone, Cooper created space for himself on the left and was able to pick his spot despite an attempted goal-line block by a defender.
Wick’s only response came in stoppage time when Kyle Henderson curled a magnificent long-range shot into the top corner.
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The Lilywhites remain fifth in the table but are now just two points behind Inverurie Locos ahead of Saturday’s trip to Aberdeen to take on Banks O’ Dee, who are third.
Gethins said: “We knew that we needed to get ahead in the first half if we were going to withstand what was coming. But I felt we were under no threat in the second half – we dealt with it really well.
“Obviously their player cuts inside and scores an absolute worldie of a finish and it just gives you that last 30 seconds of seeing out the game.”
When asked about the key factors behind Clach’s resurgence this season, Gethins said: “It’s just hard work, and fitness helps an awful lot as well, but the board has helped me massively.
“Last year we struggled whereas we’ve got a good squad now, and a good squad is good for competition because people have to work hard.”
Looking ahead to the Banks O’ Dee game, Gethins said: “We can go down there and be physical if we need to, and we’ve got enough quality about us.
“We can defend well, we’re scoring, and we showed tonight we can mix it up. Obviously it’s an artificial pitch so maybe we can play a wee bit more football.”